Summary#
Montréal city council approved a lease extension with Groupe MTLDecor inc. for commercial use of four tables on the terrace outside Marché Bonsecours, at 350 rue Saint-Paul Est. It extends the existing lease for 30 non-consecutive months starting May 1, 2026, for total rent of $35,250 before taxes.
- The tenant may use the four-table space under the extension’s terms and conditions.
- The tenant must arrange and pay for setting up, maintaining and repairing the tables, and cleaning the rented space.
- The City may end the lease by giving the tenant at least 12 months’ written notice.
- The original lease for the terrace space was approved in 2022 for 24 non-consecutive months. Council adopted this extension unanimously on November 24, 2025.
What it means for you#
- Groupe MTLDecor inc.: The extension allows the company to continue using the terrace space for commercial purposes. The exact dates of the 30 non-consecutive months are not stated in the materials.
- The tenant: Must pay rent, applicable taxes and any property taxes that apply. Operating and energy costs are included in the rent. The tenant is responsible for the tables and cleaning.
- The City: Receives the rent as revenue for its real-estate strategy service’s operating budget. The lease does not prevent the City from ending it with at least 12 months’ written notice.
Money#
The City expects $35,250 in rent before taxes over the lease extension; the materials do not give a net public-cost estimate.
- The decision summary lists $1,762.50 in GST and $3,516.19 in QST, for total receipts of $40,528.69 including those taxes.
- Property taxes are payable by the tenant if applicable, in addition to rent. Operating and energy costs are included in the rent.
- The tenant must cover setup, maintenance, repairs and cleaning costs; no estimate is provided.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not give the specific dates covered by the 30 non-consecutive months.
- They do not state whether the extension includes any further renewal option.
- The materials do not provide a comparison with other possible uses of the terrace or with market rent.
Case for#
- City staff say the space is not needed for municipal purposes, so renting it provides revenue while allowing commercial use.
- The tenant, rather than the City, is responsible for setting up, maintaining and repairing the tables and cleaning the rented space.
- The City can end the lease with at least 12 months’ written notice.
Case against#
- The materials do not explain how the rent was set or whether other uses of the terrace were considered.
- The exact dates of use are not specified in the supplied materials, which leaves the schedule unclear.
- The City can end the lease on 12 months’ notice, which may limit the tenant’s certainty about continued use.